Erica put her hand on his chest. “Nope. No sex thing. Though that would have been a good idea.”
“Come on. You’re killing me.”
“It’s still three months away.”
“Wrap it up and give it to me again in three months.”
“Can’t do that. Actually,” she looked at her watch, “I have to give it to you today.”
He smiled and sat back down. “I’ll wait right here.”
Erica slipped out of the office. While she was gone, he wracked his brain, trying to think of something he needed that he didn’t have and that could possibly be free.
“Close your eyes,” she called from the door.
Gunther did as she requested. When he opened them, there were four manila envelopes on his desk. He looked up at her, his eyebrows raised.
“Open them,” she squealed, wiggling like a teenager.
Gunther carefully opened the first one. It was a contract for Sway, The Movie, signed by Cara Brewster. He looked up at her. “No. You didn’t?”
She nodded. “Oh, but I did.”
In the next was a contract signed by Jake Matthews, then by Quinn Roberts, and the last by Chaz Duncan.
“How the hell did you get them to sign?” He leaned back, amazed.
“Charm, pleading, begging. Now you have to sign them all so I can return them.”
“When did you do this?”
“Lunch time. Not all the nail appointments were legit.”
“Fibbing again? I may have to take you across my knee.”
Her eyes lit up with mischief. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
“I’m amazed. You can do anything, because you’ve already done the impossible.”
He was up out of his chair in seconds, gripping her waist and kissing her. The passion got intense. Gunther pulled her sweater up and off, snapping open the hooks on her bra with one hand. Erica folded her hands behind his neck.
“Just not on the infamous sofa, okay?”
“The desk,” he murmured, panting. He slid his hand down to cup her behind and pull her up tight against him. She unbuttoned his shirt. He wanted her. He always wanted her, often in the most inappropriate places and times. In a board meeting of East West Productions. Over dessert at The Satin Club. In the ocean on a weekend at the beach.
The ocean desire he had been able to satisfy one overcast day when the beach had been deserted. But now, this, in the office. He always got horny here. He pushed her skirt up to her waist. He shoved her black panties down and gripped her hips, lifting her up.
“Oh, it’s cold!” she said, drawing her knees up.
“Sorry about that. I’ll heat you up,” he snickered. Gunther pushed her legs higher, unzipped his fly, and approached.
Erica reached down, closing her fingers around him. “Like a rock. As usual.”
He couldn’t wait. Stepping up to her, he snaked his hand up her thigh to her wet warmth. “Oh, baby. I’m not the only one, eh?”
“You know you turn me on.”
“Do I?”
“Fishing for compliments? Not like you.”
“I get…uncertain…sometimes.”
She pulled his face down for a hard kiss. It took his breath away.
“That’s in case you ever wonder about what you do to me,” she said in a husky voice.
Gunther moved close and cupping her behind, slid her to him. He was buried inside her in a flash. Erica gasped as he pushed deeper. She bent her head down to rest her forehead on him. “Oh my God, that’s amazing,” she said.
He pulled out and thrust in hard. She twitched. He began a rhythm, slow and deep, picking up speed. Erica went limp, totally at his mercy. As he continued, she came back to life, squirming under his touch. He closed his fingers around her breast, pinching the nipple. She groaned, and looked up at him. He squeezed her again, and she gasped.
Then, he glided his fingers down her stomach and stroked her. That took her over the edge. She cried out his name as her muscles clenched tight around him.
He couldn’t hold back any longer. Release rushed through his body, all the way out to his toes. Sex never got old with Erica. He found her more exciting now than he had the first time, and that was a rarity for him.
He held her to him, their sweaty skin slipping on each other. He dropped his head to her shoulder and planted small kisses on her neck.
“I love you,” she whispered, caressing his back, her nails scratching lightly.
“Love you, too, honey.”
A knock on the door followed by Gloria’s voice brought them out of their reverie. “Mr. Webster’s here for a meeting.”
“Holy shit! Max! I forgot,” he said, easing Erica down from his desk and smoothing her skirt back in place.
“Be right there, Gloria,” Erica called as she helped Gunther button his shirt.
Once they were dressed, they strolled into the reception area, attempting to look nonchalant. Max stood up and shook Gunther’s hand. As they entered Gunther’s office, Max laughed. “Up to your old tricks? But with the fiancée, this time, eh?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gunther replied, trying out his most innocent expression.
“Next time, remember to zip your fly.”
* * * *
Three months later
Gunther paced in the room with glass doors leading to a large deck where the wedding ceremony was to take place. Not normally a nervous man, he glanced up at the sky for the seventh time, looking for rain clouds and finding none. His mother’s plane had been delayed several times, and she had not arrived yet. Where the hell is Ma? We can’t do this without her.
He checked his watch. Still an hour to go.
Max patted him on the shoulder. “Everything will be all right. You two will tie the knot.”
“My mother hasn’t arrived, and she has my wedding present for Erica.”
“I’m sure she’ll get here. The present—today, next week, does it matter?”
“Actually, it does.”
Max excused himself and returned with two glasses of champagne. “Drink this, Gunther.”
He did as told and chugged the glass. It was warm going down. When it hit his stomach, he remembered that he’d forgotten to eat. The slightly acidic wine on an empty stomach didn’t feel so good. Gunther groaned and held his belly.
“Have you eaten anything today?” Max asked. Gunther shook his head. “Oh, dear Lord. Let me see what I find.” Max headed toward the kitchen.
Gunther peeked at his watch again then stepped outside. He looked at the street, but didn’t see any sign of a limo headed his way. He’d sent one for Clare and wondered where she was. A white sports car pulled up and parked. Chaz Duncan and his wife, Megan, got out. They greeted Gunther before they all went inside.
A waiter with a tray of the bubbly was followed by a waiter with a tray of hors d’oeurves. Gunther stopped the man and took five cheese puffs and five shrimp wrapped in bacon. He shoved them in his mouth two at a time.
“Take it easy, Gunther. You’ll choke before you even get married,” Chaz said, patting him on the back.
“Alcohol with no food is bad,” Gunther said.
Gradually, people moseyed in for the wedding. Of course, they had included the cast from Sway. At first, Gunther had wanted to have every acquaintance in his phone book there. But when he realized he had over three hundred names, he had changed his mind. They had invited about a hundred people, all in the business.
Grace Brewster arrived with Jake Matthews. Gunther was almost afraid to talk to Grace. Everything had been cordial between them, and he didn’t want to screw it up. She wandered over to him. They toasted.
“Can’t believe you’re actually tying the knot. And with a great woman, too.” Gracie shook her head. “Who’d a thought?”
“I’m a lucky man, Grace.”
“Damn straight. And don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t,” he laughed.
Next, Cara Brewster and her husband Grant H
ollings arrived. Then, Quinn Roberts with his wife, Susanna. All were old friends of Max Webster. While everyone stood around, drinking and talking, Gunther paced in front of the building. Finally, the limousine pulled up with his mother in it. Gunther hugged her and ushered her inside.
Clare was introduced around. She steered him into a quiet corner.
“What, Ma?” He said, his nerves still on edge.
“I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.” She hugged him.
“I’m just getting married, Ma. I didn’t win the Nobel Prize or anything.” He smiled.
She patted his arm. “I know. But after Laurel…well. I worried you’d never recover. You mourned her for a long time. Finally, you’ve made it back to life. And now, here you are, getting married.” She teared up.
“No Niagara Falls, Ma. Please. It’s enough Erica’ll be crying. Yeah, Laurel was one of a kind. But so is Erica. I didn’t believe lightning could strike twice. ” He felt his pockets for a spare handkerchief.
Clare pulled a hanky out of her purse. “I can’t help it. Your father would’ve been proud, too.”
“Dad? Hmpf. Don’t think so.”
“He would. Even with all his success, he never achieved what you have already.”
Gunther smiled at his mother. “Thanks, Ma.”
“I think you’ve got the perfect girl, too. Erica is just right. She doesn’t take any crap from you,” she chuckled.
“Got that right!”
“She’s lovely. Do you want me to deliver her present now?”
Gunther nodded. “We don’t have much time.”
Gunther took her arm and brought her to the part of the club where Erica was camped out with Dorrie. He showed her to the right room. Clare went right up and knocked.
* * * *
There was a rap on the door and a nervous voice called out, “Come in, unless you’re Gunther.”
Clare opened the door slowly. She gasped at the sight of Erica. Her white, strapless dress was piped with white satin. The simple lines followed her figure gracefully to the floor. She wore a gold locket around her neck and gold earrings. Her golden hair was pulled back from her face then hung down in a loose curl below her shoulders. An organza shawl rested on a nearby chair. Dorrie was there, helping Erica fasten her wide headband of fresh, white flowers then attach the veil.
“You look breathtaking, my dear. Gunther is a lucky man.”
Erica hugged the diminutive woman. “Thank you, Clare.”
“I was hoping, after this is over, you’d call me Mom.”
Erica’s eyes watered. “I’d be proud to.”
“Oh, here I am talking too much, when I have your wedding present from Gunther.”
“Now?”
“Oh, yes. Perfect timing, I’d say.”
Erica cocked her head slightly when Clare opened the door. The young woman gasped, her breath caught in her throat. She covered her mouth with her hands and tears poured down her cheeks. There stood Billy and Chickie, in the flesh.
“What are you doing here? I’m so glad to see you.”
“Gunther got the lawyer to get the kids a few days off from school to come here for your wedding,” Clare explained.
Erica ran to them, taking them into her arms. Chickie cried while Billy only sniffled, which was appropriate for a thirteen-year-old boy.
“There goes the makeup,” Dorrie said, throwing up her hands.
“Oh, dear. Hadn’t thought of that.” Erica turned to the children. “How are you? Are you okay? You’re going to come live with Gunther and me someday, someday real soon.”
“The lawyer said we have to go to court, then they’re gonna let us live with you.”
“I know. Isn’t that fabulous? Gunther bought a big house, plenty of room. Plenty of food. New clothes, too.”
Chickie cried louder. “I want to stay with you now.”
“I know, sweetie. But I’m getting married then going away for a while. But it won’t be long now. I hope you won’t miss your friends.” She looked at Billy.
“Nah. Don’t have many, anyway.”
“Things will be different when you come to live with us.”
“Who is this Gunther guy you keep talking about?”
“He’s the man I’m marrying today.”
“He better be nice to you.”
“He is, Billy. He is. And he loves kids.”
Clare took the children back to find a seat. Dorrie’s husband showed up to walk Erica down the aisle just as Dorrie finished fixing the bride’s makeup. Erica’s hands shook a little. She couldn’t tell if it was nerves, excitement, or a combination of both. She wanted to marry Gunther and love him with all her heart. Bringing Billy and Chickie to the wedding erased even the slightest doubt from her mind that he was the man for her.
Her broad smile reflected her happiness at finding a new family. She was going to have what she wanted, including her dream career. Before she left, she thanked God for the end of her bad luck streak and the beginning of her new life.
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the first notes of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. With her arm safely tucked in her friend’s elbow, Erica walked slowly down the aisle. Her gaze connected with Gunther’s right away. He wore the broadest grin she’d ever seen. He’s so gorgeous in a tuxedo. It’s the perfect suit for him.
After the ceremony and the reception, Erica was all tuckered out. Billy had kept her dancing when Gunther had had enough. Dorrie helped her change into a dark pink, silk pantsuit. She kissed the children and left them in Clare’s capable care as she and Gunther entered their limousine.
“Where are we going again?” she asked, staring at the wedding band on her finger.
“Mind like a sieve. First, St. Thomas. Then, Costa Rica.”
“Beach. Perfect.”
“The wedding went off without a hitch.”
“Of course. It was another Gunther Quill production,” she chuckled.
He stared at her. “You’re amazing. I’m so lucky.”
“And don’t you ever forget it, either.” She wagged a finger in his face. “I’m lucky, too.”
“Damn straight,” he said.
“Are we going right to the airport?”
“Nope. Gonna stop at the Beverly Hills Palace for tonight. Plane leaves at noon tomorrow.”
“Oooh, good.”
“We can get a jump on starting our own family,” he snickered.
“Our own?”
“It’s been long enough, according to the doctor. Are you ready?” He took her chin in his hand.
“Am I ready? Oh, so ready.”
The driver pulled up in front of the luxurious hotel and stopped. Gunther offered his hand. Erica threaded her fingers through his. Together they stepped out into their new life.
Epilogue
The Stylish Lady Salon
Erica stood on the pedestal while Magdalena Oliver fitted a new dress.
“I need one for the Academy Awards and one for the Broadway premiere of Strange Bedfellows, Maggie.”
“Silver looks fabulous on you for Broadway, but let’s try gold for the Awards, eh? Match the statue for luck.”
“Sounds good.”
“I have to let this out a little,” Maggie said, flashing a smile at the young woman. “You’re up for an award, too, I hear?”
“I won’t win. It’s an honor just to be nominated.”
“You never know,” Maggie added a few pins to the hem. “Done. Go change. I need to get this ready.”
The bells jingled on the front door while Erica was in the back room getting dressed. Gunther pushed the curtain back and joined his wife. She met him with a kiss.
“Got the dresses set?”
She nodded.
“Good. Carly reserved a suite at the Plaza for the Broadway premiere. I thought we’d bring the kids.”
“School?”
“Hell, they can miss a Friday. We’ll fly back on Sunday. Get dressed. There are a couple of scripts from M
ax I want you to see. One with a juicy part for you.”
“For me?”
“Perfect for you. Come on. We’ve got to check the guest list for the Awards after party. I’ve got a couple of new names to add from Max.”
Erica slipped into a pair of jeans.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I got you something to wear to the awards ceremony.” He pulled a rectangular box out of his breast pocket.
Erica opened it to reveal a diamond necklace. “Oh my God, Gunther! It’s beautiful.”
He held it up to her neck. “Even better on you.”
She kissed him. He pulled her close, stroking her hair. “Happy?” she whispered.
“Delirious,” he replied. He slid his hand down to cover her abdomen. “Did Maggie fix the dress?”
“She let it out, but in the next two weeks, I might be bigger.” She placed her small hand on top of his.
“Only six more months, doe-eyes.”
“And I’ll be playing the best role of my life. Next to wife, that is.”
“Standing ovation for the new mom.”
She slipped into the Ferrari while Gunther got behind the wheel.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
“Uh-oh. What did I do now?”
“Nothing to worry about. It’s just that I’m surprised my dad and stepmom gave the kids up without a fight.”
The smile melted off Gunther’s face. “They didn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“They fought tooth and nail.”
“You never told me that.”
“You’d been through enough. The miscarriage, the wedding, I wanted to spare you that.”
“I don’t like secrets. We need to share stuff,” she said, clearly annoyed.
“So says the master secret keeper of this family.”
“Enough! We’ve been down that road too many times. What happened?”
“They got a lawyer, though I don’t know what they used for money.” He hesitated, slowing down to make a left-hand turn.
“And?”
“And we settled with them.”
“You bought the kids?”
“In a manner of speaking. Yeah. I guess you could say we did.”
“Oh my God. How much did it cost?” Erica covered her face with her hand.
Lovers & Liars Page 18